Weather permitting, on Monday (June 27) the Idaho Transportation Department will begin sealcoating multiple portions of roadway throughout the region to preserve the pavement.
“Throughout the next month, we will sealcoat approximately 82 miles of highway,” said ITD Engineering Manager Travis Hitchcock. “The sealcoat will both protect the surface of the roadway and provide better traction for drivers.”
Work will occur on five highways in the South-central Idaho region:
- State Highway 24 (milepost 32 – 68)
• State Highway 25 (milepost 5 – 18)
• State Highway 46 (milepost 111 – 130)
• State Highway 50 (milepost 5 – 8)
• U.S. Highway 26 (milepost 139 – 150)
While work is underway, roadways will be reduced to a single lane. Both lanes will be open to traffic outside of working hours.
Motorists should anticipate short delays and watch for the presence of flaggers and pilot cars during the day.
Sealcoating is a surface treatment that takes place during the summer months and involves applying a layer of oil and rock chips to the roadway. The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to the oil.
Chips placed during sealcoats have the potential to cause windshield damage so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no-passing zones throughout the work area.
Geneva Rock Products Inc. is the primary contractor on this project which is expected to be complete by the end of July.